Jambo! The newest AKL Information thread

[limace]

We will be at Jambi 5/5-5/8-scored a two bedroom value.

 

[Leight19]

I just saw online the Mara has dinner hours listed today and now has a dinner menu listed. I haven’t done a full comparison to normal menu but definitely looks better then the breakfast menu. If anyone is on site and visits I would greatly appreciate any updates on experience here.

 

[Best Aunt]

I’m waiting for an announcement of the reopening of the full resort... that’s when things will change. Until then, know what you are booking!

"know what you are booking!"

I think this is good advice for Disney vacations now, no matter what hotel a person chooses.

 

[HiStitch626]

I just saw online the Mara has dinner hours listed today and now has a dinner menu listed. I haven’t done a full comparison to normal menu but definitely looks better then the breakfast menu. If anyone is on site and visits I would greatly appreciate any updates on experience here.

The rotisserie chicken is there which is great. Only 2 flatbreads instead of 4 and missing the ribs and potjie, but for a reduced menu this one is not bad.

 

[hereforthechurros]

Was at Jumbo 3/20 to 3/27, this has always been my wifes favorite resort. To say the least it was a major disappointment. There was not the usual vibrant vibe one usually gets when entering the lobby. Too much closed. Not enough food choices. The best resort gift shop still closed. Just a big let down. Will not go back here until they open it back up.

Seven nights of limited options would be rough. I'll be there for two nights and minus one meal at Sanaa I'm not banking on really anything else going on there. I imagine the pools are quiet? Hearing that the gift shop it closed is a bummer.

 

[AvidDisReader]

Seven nights of limited options would be rough. I'll be there for two nights and minus one meal at Sanaa I'm not banking on really anything else going on there. I imagine the pools are quiet? Hearing that the gift shop it closed is a bummer.

Pools were fairly quiet. This was during spring break so there were always some kids in there.

 

[preemiemama]

According to this, the hours at The Mara are only extended through April. Have to wait and see if it continues past that.
Disney Resort Quick Service Dining Location Temporarily Extends Hours

 

[jimtwo]

It's my understanding that they're still requiring an ADR to be able to visit a hotel if you aren't staying there. If I have a reservation for Sanaa, would I be able to visit Jambo house before/after my meal, or would I be turned away?

 

[HiStitch626]

They will check for your ADR at the parking gate. There is only one gate for both Jambo and Kidani, you are able to visit both buildings.

 

[jimtwo]

They will check for your ADR at the parking gate. There is only one gate for both Jambo and Kidani, you are able to visit both buildings.

Thanks! I hoped that would be the case, but I wasn't sure if the check happened at the gate, or at the building entrance.

 

[Best Aunt]

It's my understanding that they're still requiring an ADR to be able to visit a hotel if you aren't staying there. If I have a reservation for Sanaa, would I be able to visit Jambo house before/after my meal, or would I be turned away?

From what I have read here on the DIS, hotels sometimes require an ADR to be able to drive a car to a hotel if you aren't staying there. The Contemporary may or may not require an ADR even for an Uber or Lyft, because they know people go there just to be able to walk to Magic Kingdom. You are checked by the guard at the gate. Thus if you take Disney transportation, you will not be turned away because you will not be in a vehicle which is checked by the guard at the gate.

If you are at Kidani Village to eat at Sanaa, you can walk to Jambo House. In the past there has been a little van which went between Kidani Village and Jambo House; you should be able to get on that if they still provide that service. Also, a Disney bus might come by which is on its way to Jambo House; you can get on that (just make sure you know where it is going).

 

[Twilight Sparkle]

Just booked our first trip as AK DVC owners. We will be at Jambo in a savanna view from 1/18/22 - 1/28/22. It will have been just over 3 years since we've been to WDW.

 

[holden]

Just booked our first trip as AK DVC owners. We will be at Jambo in a savanna view from 1/18/22 - 1/28/22. It will have been just over 3 years since we've been to WDW.

Welcome Home!

 

[dgbg100106]

We will be at Jambi 5/5-5/8-scored a two bedroom value.

May
5/2 - 5/6 Tinkerbelle83 - AKV
5/5 - 5/8 limace Jambo
5/10 - 5/21 steg - Jambo
5/16 - 5/22 Kari2684 - AKV Jambo
5/25 - 5/29 MickeyT - AKL

 

[Grumpy by Birth]

In the past there has been a little van which went between Kidani Village and Jambo House; you should be able to get on that if they still provide that service.

The internal shuttle between Kidani and Jambo was running last month when we were there.

 

[Mthomas628]

We booked last night for Kidani! 1/14 to 1/22!

 

[BigOnDis]

I somewhat share your concern but not familiar with parallels to Artist point. I think it’s remote location and themeing has historically forced animal kingdom lodge to be top notch dining since it can’t rely simply on convenience or location. My concern is how will the 1 yr shutdown effect the restaurants when they finally reopen.

Will the restaurants here (jiko boma and Mara) have issues with losing key chefs/staff over the shut down? Have they placed the key employees in other areas to retain them for eventual reopening or will they need to essentially restart training from scratch when they do finally reopen? It would be a bummer if akl takes a long term slide in quality as result of this extended shutdown (I actually own at akv with food being major reason I enjoy it so much).

I know for a fact that Chef Eddie from Jiko was let go by Disney. Very sad that they let a great chef go.

 

[hauntedcity]

I know for a fact that Chef Eddie from Jiko was let go by Disney. Very sad that they let a great chef go.

Oh, no! I never met with the chefs at Jiko, but it is my favorite restaurant. They have amazing vegetarian & vegan options, and every meal we have had there has been perfect.

 

[chekhovgirl]

Here is the latest list of everyone visiting in 2021 & 2022
If you have any updates please let me know…
2021

April
4/4 - 4/10 mom23guys2 - Jambo
4/10 - 4/17 montreid - Jambo
4/11 - 4/17 kayteekt - AKL
4/21 - 4/28 GrandMum - Kidani
May
5/2 - 5/6 Tinkerbelle83 - AKV
5/10 - 5/21 steg - Jambo
5/16 - 5/22 Kari2684 - AKV Jambo
5/25 - 5/29 MickeyT - AKL
June
5/29 - 6/5 AliceIn Kidani
5/31 - 6/8 Bluegoat - Jambo
6/7 - 6/10 Kerr84 - Kidani
6/23 - 6/25 Tinkerbelle83 - Kidani
6/23 - 6/27 Calminthestorm - Jambo
6/25 - 7/1 DisneyDiana - Jambo
6/27 - 7/2 sabrecmc - AKL
July
7/11 - 7/19 preemiemama - AKV Jambo
August
8/5 - 8/19 ThinkBelieveDream&Dare Jambo
8/15 - 8/22 GinnyBear's_mom - AKL
8/17 - 8/21 Wayland10 - Kidani
8/18 - 8/25 myth2001 AKL
8/27 - 8/30 myth2001 - AKL
8/30 - 9/3 Naglejen - Kidani
September
9/5 - 9/11 ktink - Kidani
9/25 - 10/02 KT0191 - Kidani
9/26 - 9/30 DgBg100106 - BCV
October
10/10 - 10/15 karen4546 - AKV Jambo
10/11 - 10/17 Meglen - Jambo
10/19 - 10/27 Christine42566 - Jambo
November
December
12/10 - 12/20 sndral - AKL
12/12 - 12/19 Brook~n~Matt - AKL
2022
January
February
March

We'll be at Jambo for the first time 10/7-14!

 

[hereforthechurros]

Online it says Sanaa lounge is open. Anyone foresee issues with a walk-in or does it get busy?